Recent Pokemon leaks indicate that Pikachu could be getting a redesign in Gen 10. Pikachu’s recently leaked appearance did not sit well with some Pokemon fans, though, as many would prefer the popular creature to maintain its current look.
A huge Pokemon leak surfaced recently, giving fans information about the popular franchise up to Gen 11. Many relevant details about the upcoming Gen 10 titles were unveiled, including that the games will be named Pokemon Wind and Wave, will be set in a region inspired by Indonesia and Southeast Asia, and will be released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Leaks Indicate Unfortunate Pikachu Redesign for Pokemon Gen 10
One controversial aspect of the Pokemon Wind and Wave leak was an alleged redesign for Pikachu, shared by Centro Leaks. This new Pikachu design is leaner than the current one, and has a much more oval-shaped head, which is similar to the one found in some Pokemon merchandise. The alleged change was controversial, to say the least, as many gamers were upset with the design, with some even complaining that Pikachu consistently gets leaner as time passes, making even its current iteration a far cry from its original form. The new Pikachu had its defenders, though, as commenters on Centro Leaks’ post have pointed out that part of the issue that makes the creature look so weird stems from the lighting in the leaked image.
This will likely not be the only controversial aspect of Pokemon Gen 10, as Wind and Wave will likely bring some major changes to the franchise, if the leak is correct. One of them is that Pokemon Wind and Wave will feature “infinite islands,” which will be procedurally generated. However, it’s not yet known how much of the entire world will be generated this way, and this feature may likely be met with controversy among fans if it becomes a major part of the experience.
The leak was so big that it even touched Gen 11 games, which still do not have a name yet. The recent leaks indicate that Gen 11 Pokemon games will only come out in 2030. This release window makes sense, especially considering that Gen 10 is not out yet, and that it will likely be available sometime during 2026, giving the franchise a similar time of development as the one from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Obviously, however, fans should take the entire leak with a grain of salt, as plans can always change, even if the information seems to be legitimate.
- Released
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October 16, 2025
- ESRB
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Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases
